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Peninsula Says NO to Cruise Port! Will Belmopan Get the Message?
H
aving been rejected by Government in its bid to establish a cruise port on Crawl Caye, in the Southwater Caye Marine Reserve, Norwegian Cruise Line—with the encouragement of that same Government—has now set its sights on Harvest Caye, less than three miles from Placencia Village. And like the Crawl Caye proposal, the latest attempt to rob the Peninsula and southern Belize of its uniqueness is being vigorously resisted by residents throughout the area. The latest group to weigh in on the NCL proposal is the Placencia Tour Guides Association. At a packed meeting on June 19 the 40+ PGTA members in attendance voted with near unanimity to oppose the US$25 million project on a number of grounds, including NCL’s failure to commit to employment of Placencia guides, the environmental damage that would result from as many as 4,000 passengers per ship descending on pristine reefs, jungles and ancient Mayan sites, the change of character cruise tourism would bring to village life and the inevtable loss of loyal overnight visitors who have long been the mainstay of the Peninsula’s economy.
The tour guides have been joined in their efforts by the Placencia Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association as well as the Toledo BTIA Chapter. Similarly, the Southern Environmental Association has condemned the NCL plan and has urged Government to reject it along with any future plans for Mass cruise tourism in the South. The statements of PBTIA, TBTIA and SEA appear on page 3. And where does the Government of Belize stand on this issue? (Please see Peninsula Says No to Cruise Port on page 2.)
Newly Elected Village Councils Take Charge On May 19, less than 24 hours after Placencia swept the National Tourism Awards, people across the Peninsula participated in an important decision-making process that will play a big role in shaping the future of its respective communities over the next four years. Just under 1,000 people showed up to polling stations to cast their votes. In Seine Bight, of the total 390 votes polled, the people elected Peter Justo Augustine with 245 votes defeating opponent Eloise J. Lopez who gathered 145 votes.
MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY
MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY
Above Left: Seine Bight Village Council Members after swear-in ceremony; left to right: Sinclair Diego, John Augustine, Liz Ziacevs, Chairman Justo Augustine, Floret Valerio and Albert Flores. Above Right: Placencia Village Council Members after swear-in; left to Rrght: Warren Garbutt, Lloydia Westby-Caballero, Nick Pollard, Chairlady Ilsa Villanueva, Harold Wallen, Jodie Yearwood and Glen Eiley.
In Placencia Village, a total 361 votes were polled in a hotly contested election. While previous PVC Councilor Ilsa Villanueva had initially announced that she had considered running for chairperson, but had decided to run for a councilor position instead, a change of heart came upon
the heels of the election, and Villanueva defeated incumbent Chairman Charles Leslie, Jr. with 261 votes to 91 votes. The Placencia Breeze recognizes the hard work and accomplishments of our previous village council leaders and wish the new members all the best as they take charge. ▪